It is our right, as individuals from all walks of life, to feel free and protected from unfair discrimination based on race. As such, we urge you to retain section 18c of the Act, which makes it unlawful for people to vilify others on racial grounds.

Why is this important?

Repealing this section of the Act will be the first piece of legislation Senator Brandis will introduce to Parliament. It is our right as humans to feel safe in this country - do not let the Coalition government take that right away!

In Australia’s multicultural society, everyone should have the right to feel welcome. Personally, I have witnessed discrimination based upon race in this country. My partner is Korean and I have many friends of all different nationalities, as I'm sure many of you do. I fear for my loved ones safety if these laws change, and I don’t wish to see anybody else have to be subject to such humiliation simply because of their race.

The Racial Discrimination Act was introduced to create a fairer Australia for all, and stops people from offending, insulting, humiliating or intimidating another person or a group of people based upon of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person, or some or all of the people in the group. Removing Section 18c of the Act would only send us backwards, and this is something that I don’t wish to see.

Remember back to August 2009, when the Herald and Weekly Times Pty Ltd published an article written by Andrew Bolt under the title “White Fellas in the Black”. Andrew Bolt was taken to the Federal Court over this highly offensive and discriminatory article, and was ultimately found to be in breach of both sections 18c and 18d of the Act. Had these laws not been in place at the time he would have been considered not guilty, and discrimination would have been allowed to have gone unpunished. Our media of all places should stand up for human rights not degrade and humiliate people for something that they have no control over.

This isn't about restricting free speech – this is about protecting vulnerable Australians from being unfairly discriminated against or humiliated based on their race. All forms of discrimination need to be wiped out in this country - and removing Section 18c is not the answer.

Reasons for signing

Why is the LNP trying to take our amazing country to such a dark dark place :O(

Lev U.
2017-02-28 21:46:04 +1100

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Had I realized it's probably illegal, I would have taken action years ago from the disgusting racial discrimination disguised as a joke when I was at school that occurred when I left school too, and still affects me today. Why are we even thinking about legalizing this? Written by somebody of Maori and South African descent who was called "Osama" and called a terrorist by "mates" who thought it was okay but could not cop anything back.

Updates

2014-05-24 00:57:29 +1000

Congratulation everyone we reached 9000 signatures , I will keep the petition open now till the last minute to see how many we can get =D

2014-05-15 21:21:11 +1000

Well this is it guys I will be handing the final list of signatures to a Greens MP tomorrow morning so you have until the end of the night to get as many signatures as we can Well done everyone thanks for all the hard work

2014-05-12 17:32:17 +1000

Lets go guys and girls only got till Friday till I close the petition can we get to 9000?

2014-05-05 17:43:14 +1000

I am meeting Greens MP on the 16th of May lets try and get as many signatures as we can before then , keep up the good work. =D

News update "Councillor Marian Frances O'Connell from Canada Bay Council in NSW proposed and passed the motion against the proposed changes to the Race Discrimination Act on 15th April 2014!"
Project 18c

let him know we do not want any changes at all to section 18.
Warm Wishes

2014-04-13 01:05:22 +1000

Amazing 7071 signatures

2014-04-12 13:17:58 +1000

Almost 7000 signatures =D you are all awesome

2014-04-11 19:21:54 +1000

Congratulation everyone 6,346

2014-04-09 19:05:13 +1000

We have 5008 congratulations everyone keep up the good work

2014-04-09 15:33:26 +1000

5,000 signatures reached

2014-04-07 19:06:27 +1000

I am trying to start a demonstration/ rally in Melbourne anyone interested please send me an email mfdnolan@gmail.com, also I would like other people in other cities to also think about this also.
warm wishes Michael Nolan

2014-04-05 18:45:30 +1100

Lets aim for 5000 signatures next almost there !!

2014-04-04 01:42:15 +1100

4528 signatures We are getting there =D

2014-04-02 22:17:01 +1100

Congratulation everyone, 4003

2014-04-02 01:43:57 +1100

Hello fellow supporters,

I have had an expression to start a demonstration/rally. I am in Melbourne and anyone that can help me start this here would be great. I know not everyone is in Melbourne, so it would be fantastic of the people in the other cities organised something also. It will keep everyone updated.

Warm Wishes

Michael Nolan

2014-03-31 17:35:39 +1100

Almost 4000 lets do it !!! lets get as many signatures as we can before the end of the months

2014-03-31 13:30:02 +1100

I'm doing a phone interview tomorrow at 4 sbs radio living black , about the petition for anti-discrimination. wish me luck

Just going to say its great for people of all walks of life getting together to fight for this. Everyone has the right to be safe and secure.

2014-03-28 01:01:43 +1100

I saw one ad on here for clothing please do not post ads on here. This is very serious and not a forum for advertising.
Warm wishes.

2014-03-28 00:59:36 +1100

Yes Hugo John Lord did write a brilliant article about what will happen. Although I think we just need to look at the US to truly appreciate 18c.

2014-03-27 16:41:43 +1100

Thank you to everyone that signed my petition to stop changes to 18c anti-discrimination act . But the fight is not over we have until the end of April to stop these changes.
Congratulations on the success of your campaign so far - 2,468 signatures is a tremendous effort. You're campaign clearly hit a nerve in the community and it'd be great to keep your supporters engaged in the campaign.
Please send a message via this link to tell George Brandis that we do not want changes to be made to the anti-discrimination act. I've set up a page where you can send your supporters to easily make a submission. You can share this link in the email you send to them: http://www.getup.org.au/make-a-submission-to-the-racial-discrimination-actuMake a submission to the Racial Discrimination Act
An independent movement to build a progressive Australia and bring participation back into our democracy.
GETUP.ORG.AU

Hey everyone still fighting to get as many signatures as we can , please send the petition to your friends and family.

2014-02-04 20:23:50 +1100

Please call and email Mr Brandis' office and let him know that you don't want section 18C to be repealed , his email is senator.brandis@aph.gov.au or call him on (02) 6277 7300.

2014-01-13 15:15:25 +1100

Please help me promote time is running out. Shortly the Abbott government will introduce the repeal of section 18c anti-discrimination and put it under the guise of free speech, We need as many people as we can to sign to get a chance for this petition to have some impact. Thank you all

2013-12-03 15:59:33 +1100

Im touched by all of your comments lets fight for what is right, discrimination should not be tolerated not know not ever.

Thank you to all the supports out there for your signatures and words of support to stop discrimination of all kinds. The petition is running strong, however, we need as many signatures as we can get. Please share to as many people as you can and get the word out. Thank you all.